SPOKEN-word artistes will be on show today at the second staging of Arts in the Park on the East Lawns of Devon House in

St Andrew.

The event is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.

According to Gillian Wilkinson-McDaniel, senior director in the ministry, organisers decided to showcase the spoken word medium as it rarely gets an opportunity on local stages.

“The objectives are threefold. Firstly, giving the artistes a platform to show their art. Then there is the developmental aspect, where we want to showcase the work to international booking agents and scouts who will be in the island. There is also a tourism aspect as we are seeking to enhance the entertainment offerings in the tourism sector,” she said.

Among the acts down to perform are Jahmel Hall, A-dziko Simba Gegele, Randy McLaren, Yasheka Graham and Richard Dingwall.

Wilkinson-McDaniel noted that spoken word performances will be punctuated by music from recording artistes such as Skygrass, From the Deep and Infinite.

“We are using Kingston as the template to develop a product which, in the future we hope to take across the island in order to expose the talent which exists in Jamaica,” she said.